Andros Townsend could yet become a target for rival clubs after Tottenham's reward for his England heroics was a new four-year deal worth 'just' £16,000 a week.

The contract means that, despite a £10,000 per week pay-rise, the 22-year-old’s earnings will still be dwarfed by misfit team-mate Emmanuel Adebayor’s £170k weekly wage - which is partly paid by his former club, Manchester City.

The young winger had three-and-a-half years left on his original contract, which paid him 'only' £6,000 every seven days.

Spurs chairman Daniel Levy – known for driving a hard bargain – has sparked bemusement by refusing to sanction a bigger, bumper package for the impressive wideman.

Instead, Townsend – who is set to start Sunday’s Premier League game at Aston Villa – could yet find himself a target for rival clubs if he continues the rate of improvement that has left club boss Andre Villas-Boas and England manager Roy Hodgson purring.

Despite his excellent displays, the star was then at the centre of a bizarre race row due to ­Hodgson’s half-time anecdote about a “space monkey” – which Townsend has since described as a “compliment”, convinced it had been meant as praise.

The Three Lions manager apologised for the joke but Townsend, who had already absolved Hodgson of blame, said: “The manager just told the players to give the ball to me so that’s a compliment.

“Everyone should be focusing on England ­qualifying for Brazil – not on negative silly news. It’s a dream come true to play for your country.”

Townsend’s father Troy, however, feels the story has overshadowed his son’s – and England’s – success.

Townsend senior, who has a role with anti-racism group Kick It Out, said: “The nation was quite rightly proud of their side. We reached our goal of the World Cup but unfortunately there was no time to enjoy that feeling... before the very next day we are talking about something a little bit different.

"There’s disappointment. It’s a nightmare.”

Meanwhile, Villas-Boas said that being in the eye of the storm will be a learning experience for Townsend.

“That is part of growing up as a player,” he said. “I’m sure all that wouldn’t divert his attention too much.

“I expect him to be the same player. There are going to be more people worried about him, he will be more in the public eye and they will demand performances from him and I expect him to respond.”